New York, November 15: Contaminated Chinese imports including melamine-laden milk has forced U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on dairy imports from the country in order to safeguard public health.
Melamine is a chemical substance which is toxic in nature and is not ingested easily. It can affect the vital organs in the body resulting in organ failure, specifically the filtering system of the body where it may have severe adverse effects on the kidneys.
The tainted milk and milk products imported from China left consumers in deep anguish as it did not even spare the infant formulas. Young children and infants are at high risk for their immune systems are not fully developed and are not likely to get a replacement for a failed kidney due to non availability of donors.
Contaminated infant formulas caused tumult in China after reports of children falling ill due to the products came in. Also, there were reports confirming child deaths due to melamine-milk consumption. Almost 50,000 Chinese babies were affected due to the milk contamination and at least three died due to possible melamine contamination.
Considering the raising turmoil and concerns, FDA decided to stop import of milk and milk products from China at the borders and is not allowing them to enter the country. Melamine contamination was also found in pet food imported from china last year, following which thousands of pets died.
Dr. Steven Solomon, deputy associate F.D.A. commissioner, said: "We’re taking this action because it’s the right thing to do for the public health."
Considering that many products were pulled off the shelves for health reasons including contamination in the past, FDA is trying to adopt stringent rules for food imports and handling in interest of pubic health and plans to make food supply safer.
In most of the parts of U.S, instant coffee, tea and non-dairy creamer are few products that are recalled in some of the Asian specialty stores but FDA may soon ban many more products. Pet food, candies, cereal and soft drinks are stopped from entering the country. FDA may also stop ice cream, breakfast foods, baby food, cheese and chocolate imports.
However, many products imported from china do not figure in the FDA restricted items list including fish, egg products, protein shakes, powders and supplements.
Chinese dairy imports have come under safety scanner in 13 more countries. Food products such as yogurt, frozen desserts, chocolates, cookies and biscuits figure in the banned-product list of these countries.
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) spokeswoman Peggy Armstrong commented that stopping Chinese dairy imports will not affect the dairy industry trade in the U.S seriously.
FDA noted that consumers should have a wider knowledge of what they are consuming and its impact on their health. While FDA is looking into stopping the Chinese imports inside the U.S, it urges people to handle food safely and be alert while buying them.
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